Sandia scientist named outstanding researcher by FLC
“As a boy I remember my interest in science and learning new things, making new things. That has always been my motivation,” Sandia scientist Hongyou Fan said.
Hongyou was recently named Outstanding Researcher by the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, a group dedicated to accelerating federal technologies in the marketplace.
Called a “serial innovator” by his peers, Hongyou was recognized by the consortium for his leadership in translating scientific discoveries into market-ready technologies and his work in materials manufacturing, nanoelectronics and critical materials supply chains.
“I feel excited, honored and rewarded,” Hongyou said. “It has been a longtime commitment to tech transfer in my 25-year career at Sandia.”
Latest success: Disinfectant 2.0
One of the best examples of Hongyou’s contribution to technology transfer is his pioneering work on Disinfectant 2.0, a product developed during the COVID-19 pandemic that kills viruses, bacteria and fungi for long periods.
The disinfectant is based on Hongyou’s work on highly efficient porphyrin nanoparticle photosensitizers, developed at Sandia as part of its national security mission. Light triggers a chemical reaction in porphyrins, releasing substances that kill disease cells while being safe for people. Tests have shown that once sprayed, Disinfectant 2.0 keeps working for months to years.
Hongyou led the team that expediated the technology transfer process, leading to the product’s commercialization by Lunano LLC.
Impact beyond the Labs
Hongyou’s groundbreaking contributions to technology transfer have earned him six Federal Laboratory Consortium awards, including three in the last five years. He has also led efforts resulting in eight R&D 100 Awards and secured 21 patents, with three more pending.
Recognized by his peers as not only a scientist and manager but also an educator, Hongyou mentors students through various local STEM programs, helping develop the next generation of scientists and engineers. He has shared his research through hundreds of publications and international presentations for professional organizations addressing key technical challenges in industry, academia and the national labs.
Hongyou currently serves as Sandia’s department manager of Geochemistry, manager of the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences Geoscience Program and manager of the Sandia office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Critical Minerals Program. In this latest role, Hongyou has led his team to invent eco-friendly technology for extracting critical minerals from coal and coal ash, contributing to the establishment of a reliable, secure and sustainable domestic supply chain of critical minerals.
Hongyou says he looks forward to expanding that work and was excited to hear of the new administration’s focus on critical mineral extraction research.
“It is a high national security priority, and I am leading that effort within Sandia. It’s an area that I am so excited about. I will continue the journey to lead innovation,” he said.
A long Sandia career
Hongyou has spent his entire career at Sandia, after being hired right out of grad school. He says it was the weather that brought him to New Mexico and the University of New Mexico.
“I applied to a lot of universities and since my hometown was very cold and snowy, I picked a warm and sunny area. I think it was a wise decision,” he said.
Twenty-five years later, Hongyou is still innovating. He recognizes that his success would not have been possible without the support of Sandia and the many teams he has worked with.
“I am thankful that I have been able to contribute to a lot of projects and research programs under different science and engineering areas. I have enjoyed working with different people with different specialties and sharing ideas that make innovations. Innovation is motivation,” he said.